Chemung River at Elmira
New York — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Chemung County, New York on the Chemung River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 01530332, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
19 ft
Moderate Flood
15 ft
Minor Flood
12 ft
Action Stage
10 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
25.2 ft
Devastating flood damage occurs throughout the City of Elmira and surrounding areas. Public utilities, transportation, and communications are severely disrupted. This is the record flood from June 1972.
25 ft
Water overtops the north bank of the levee system resulting in widespread flooding of downtown Elmira.
23 ft
The Carriage Estates neighborhood and Farm Lane in Ashland flood. Flooding extends to 3rd Street in Wellsburg. The City of Elmira is protected by levees to 25 feet.
20 ft
Neighborhoods south of Water Street in West Elmira experience extensive flooding. Properties along West Hudson Street at Morrowfield, Bonaview, and Homewood Avenues in the Town of Southport flood. The City of Elmira is protected by levees to 25 feet.
19 ft
Most of Big Flats is inundated. Streets between York Avenue and Morningside Drive in West Elmira begin flooding. Homes at the lower end of Morningside and Country Club Drive are flooded to the first floor. Routes 225 and 352 are closed at Fitch's Bridge. Flooding worsens along Lower Maple Avenue from Southport to Wellsburg. The City of Elmira is protected by levees to 25 feet.
15 ft
The Hamlet of Big Flats begins to flood. Water may also affect streets nearest the river from Golden Glow Heights through West Elmira. Flooding extends into the Town of Soutport affecting neighborhoods along Maple Avenue. Front Street in Wellsburg floods. The City of Elmira is protected by levees to 25 feet.
12 ft
Minor flooding develops outside the area of levees and flood protection. Portions of Lower Maple Avenue (Route 427) in the Town of Ashland may be closed. The Lowman Crossover floods. Route 352 in Big Flats floods. The City of Elmira is protected by levees to 25 feet.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 22, 1972 | 25.2 ft | 235,000 cfs |
| Jun 22, 1972 | 25.2 ft | 235,000 cfs |
| May 27, 1946 | 21.2 ft | — |
| May 27, 1946 | 21.2 ft | — |
| Sep 25, 1975 | 19.7 ft | — |
Flood Inundation Map
NOAA has mapped what areas flood at different water levels for this gauge. View the interactive flood inundation map →
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Chemung River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Chemung River at Elmira?
The Chemung River at Elmira gauge is maintained by USGS (site 01530332) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Chemung River at Elmira?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Chemung River at Elmira is 12 feet. Action stage begins at 10 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 15 feet, and major flooding at 19 feet.
How do I get alerts when Chemung River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Chemung River at Elmira to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Chemung River at Elmira gauge located?
The gauge is located in Chemung County, New York at coordinates 42.0864°N, 76.8014°W. USGS site number: 01530332. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- Gauge reading may be affected by ice. Forecast flows are unadjusted for ice.